Alliance foreign ministers decided on 8 December that in 2006 they would add up to 6,000 personnel to the 9,000 troops in the NATO-led stabilization force.

They also agreed to expand into the south of Afghanistan.

Speaking on 9 December, Defense Ministry spokesman Zahir Azimi welcomed the move, saying it would boost security and allow U.S. troops to concentrate more on fighting the Taliban-led insurgency in the country.